Aeration

[DND Outdoor]

I have read a lot of threads on here referencing aeration. Are most speaking in general about plug aerators or spike. I aerated last fall with a plugger and I was thinking about using a spike before overseeding for this spring?

[marko]

A spike will make holes in the ground, but wont relieve compaction nearly as well as taking a plug out of the soil. When you plug you are removing soil that allows surrounding soil to collapse back into the hole. On a spike, you are more or less making a hole, but compacting the dirt around the hole when the spike enters the soil.

[rodfather]

Don't bother with a spike aerator if you are gonna overseed...in fact, don't bother with a spike aerator at all IMO.